Vertex Pharma CMO Chodakewitz Retires, Kewalramani Named Successor

Jeffrey Chodakewitz, chief medical officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), is retiring. The Boston company said he will continue in an advisory role through early next year. Chodakewitz joined Vertex in 2014 as senior vice president. Reshma Kewalramani will step up as Chodakewitz’s successor effective April 1. Kewalramani joined Vertex in 2017 as senior vice president, late clinical development. Her experience also includes positions at Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]). Vertex recently received FDA approval for cystic fibrosis combination drug ivacaftor/tezacaftor (Symdeko), the company’s third approved treatment for the inherited disorder.

Author: Frank Vinluan

Xconomy Editor Frank Vinluan is a business journalist with experience covering technology and life sciences. Based in Raleigh, he was a staff writer at the Triangle Business Journal covering technology, biotechnology and energy before joining MedCityNews.com as North Carolina bureau chief. Prior to moving to North Carolina’s Research Triangle in 2007 he held business reporting positions at The Des Moines Register and The Seattle Times. View all posts by Frank Vinluan